The City and first responders have an obligation to provide maps and communication. The business community has an obligation to inform their employees. And as individuals we have the responsibility to plan ahead.

This equation is one to remember and can save lives: Using the City’s Emergency info and map + Making pre-arranged plans = A more prepared Community

The City of Charlotte has created this map, which is also available in print and (coming soon) on My Charlotte, the City’s official mobile app.

If you or a loved one works uptown, lives uptown or goes uptown for sporting or cultural events it’s important to know how to evacuate during an emergency. It’s also important if you are a parent/caregiver and your child attends an uptown daycare or school that you speak the provider about their evacuation plans.

Important information to know:

Notification – The Mayor or designee will order an evacuation based on current conditions and recommendations from emergency response personnel. An evacuation would occur only if there is significant and credible information from reliable sources indicating that there is imminent danger from an attack or natural disaster.

What do I do at the time of an emergency evacuation? Remain calm. Remember that you have made pre-arranged plans for you and your family. Obey all instructions from the emergency plan and from Police and Fire emergency personnel. Your first priority is to remove yourself from any danger.

How can I be prepared? By familiarizing yourself with this map and know which direction you will be heading once you leave your building and/or parking location. You can determine this by looking at the map and determining your exact location. Be sure to use the evacuation route that corresponds with your location and leads you to the closest transportation hub.

Follow assigned routes of travel based on ward quadrants (first, second, third, fourth). All other routes are for emergency vehicles only. Do not use your regular route of travel, unless it is suggested on the map. Normal traffic patterns and routes may be altered depending on the type of emergency. Our evacuation plan is based on an event occurring in the very core or the square (Trade & Tryon). Considering that the emergency could take place anywhere, the pre-designated routes should be used for guidance and followed as closely as possible.

Talk with your property manager and know what the emergency plans are for your building. If you don’t have a plan, work together with the property manager to develop one.

Make a pre-arranged personal plan for you and your family. Develop a communication system to ensure everyone knows the plan and review it periodically for easy recall.

Evacuation Route Information

Precautionary Evacuation (Vehicular)

When this type of evacuation is ordered, those affected should leave the area by the same mode of transportation in which they traveled into the center city area, unless directed otherwise by Police or Fire personnel.

Only the normal (right) side of the roadway should be used for travel away from uptown. The left side of the roadway must be kept clear for responding emergency vehicles. All inbound traffic will be restricted. Traffic will not be permitted to drive cross-town. If there is a power outage, all intersections with traffic lights must be treated as four-way stop signs.

Continue traveling until you are at least one mile away from the Center City district. Do not abandon your vehicle at any time. This will create an unmanageable situation and turn a vehicular evacuation into a pedestrian evacuation without cause. Once you have committed to a travel route, do not change it unless directed by emergency personnel.

Pedestrian Evacuation

A pedestrian evacuation may be ordered only if a vehicular evacuation is not possible. A direct threat or attack would initiate a pedestrian evacuation.

Predesignated Pedestrian Hubs are clearly indicated on the map (see yellow routes on map). Walk in an orderly fashion to the nearest area hub, following the predesignated routes.

Do not create your own area.

Do not stand around or wait.

Keep moving until you come to your designated area.

CATS light-rail (LYNX) will be unoccupied and available for pedestrians to use for foot access out of Center City.

From the Transit Hubs you will be transported to a predesignated Evacuation Safe Zone location for pick-up. Remember, it is up to you to develop a family emergency plan. Visit http://emergency.charmeck.org

Special Needs

If you have any special needs and require transportation assistance, in either a vehicular evacuation or a pedestrian evacuation, you must make a personal transportation plan for yourself. Do not rely on outside resources that may not be available. Emergency resources will be available on a priority basis only. Please refer to http://emergency.charmeck.org

Create YOUR Personal Family Emergency Plan

Discuss with your family how you will respond to an emergency. If you have children in school, you need to fully understand the schools’ plans in the event of an emergency. If you are instructed to evacuate, your children may have already been taken to a safe place by the time you reach their school. Find out where they will go and make arrangements to have them picked up at a later time.

Ways to get information

GOV Channel (Time Warner Cable 16)

311 or 704-336-7600

http://emergency.charmeck.org

If you need additional information, contact your building security representative or the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office at 704-336-2412.